DRI arrests two for smuggling gibbons, exotic birds from B'desh

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested two men for allegedly smuggling gibbons and some exotic birds into the country from Bangladesh.

Acting on inputs, the DRI officials intercepted a car near the Indo-Bangla border at North 24 Parganas yesterday.

Three cages full of wild animals and 40 exotic birds were found inside the intercepted car, a statement issued by the agency said today.

On examination, one cage with two partitions was found to contain two hollock gibbons (endangered species under the Wild life Protection Act, 1972) on one side and two palm civets (another endangered species) on the other side, it said, adding that they were badly crammed up.

A second cage, containing 15 colorful rosella birds (exotic in nature) and a third cage containing 27 exotic birds like nandin conure, peach fronted conure, grass parakeets, maroon tailed Conure were recovered, the DRI said.

Conure birds are like parakeets -- they are found in Central and South America and also in Australia.

They are also called as clowns of the parrot world due to their constant attention-seeking behaviour. Rosella birds, which are very colorful, are found in Australia